Temperature regulator for internal-combustion engines



May 18, 1926.

L. c. GALLI TEMPERATURE REGULATOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed March 21, 1917- Iqventon Lows C, (3am,

Wi mess Attorneys Patented May 18, i926.

UNETEE STATES PATENT @FFHQE.

LOUIS C. GALLI, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE FULTON COMPANY, 015 KNOX- VILLE, TENNESSEE, A CORPORATIQN F MAINE.

TEMPERATURE REGULATOR FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Application filed. March 21, 1917. Serial No. 156,359.

lhis invention relates to means, herein illustrated as shutters, for regulating the temperature of internal combustion engines and means for automatically actuating the same.

a The object of the invention is the provision of temperature regulating means such as shutters or other suitable means for controlling the temperature of the engine by governing the cooling effect of the cooling system which shall be so actuated that the shutters or other means, remain closed at all times while the engine is not running; and also while the engine is running until the desired temperature of the engine is reached when the shutters, or other means, are automatically opened and remain open for all temperatures thereabove but close automatically when the temperature drops below that point.

in carrying out my invention I preferably, though not necessarily, make use of a fluid under pressure during the running of the engine as a motive power to open the shutters, or other means, and have so illustrated in the drawings hereof.

in these drawings which form a part of this application I have indicated one form of my invention for purposes of illustration only, in order that the invention may be so the more readily comprehended, but it is to be understood that my invention is by no means confined to the specificform illustrated.

In these drawings- Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly broken away, of the form of my invention chosen for illustration purposes, with a conventional showing of an automobile radiator;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the said form illustrated in Fig. 1 with an automobile engine conventionally shown; and

Fig. 3 is a partial vertical section of certain of the operative parts of Fig. 2.

in the form shown, an internal combustion engine, of any suitable type, is provided with any suitable form of cooling system including any suitable radiator; cooperating with said cooling system are means for gov- 50 erning the cooling efl'ect of the same, shown as shutters for controlling the flow of air through the radiator. The shutters i 4 herein illustrated are arranged in a bank for simultaneous operation, and are so constructed that when closed they completely cover the front of the radiator 5. They are suitably mounted in proximity to the radiator, each shutter being preferably pivotally mounted along its central longitudinal line, a suitable mounting such as a frame 6 being provided where necessary.

The connecting of the shutters is accomplished by a bar 7 which has horizontally projecting ears 8 8, with which oppositely projecting ears 9 9 in the rear upper part of each shutter are hinge connected. These parts are consequently hidden from view when the shutters are closed, as is illustrated in Fig. 3.

0n the interior of the radiator and in a convenient place is suitably mounted an actuating device here illustrated as a pressure-motor comprising a cylinder 10 and a piston 11. The piston isprovided with a piston rod 12 which extends into or through the radiator and is suitably connected with the shutters. The connection illustrated comprises a link 13 andan angle arm 14 rigidly connected with. one of the shutters, thus permitting of shutter manipulation with a small amount of, if any, vertical movement of the piston rod, a desirable consideration to bear in mind in choosing the type of connection.

The piston is illustrated as being pressed by a spring 15 in a direction to close the shutters. The cylinder is connected with a supply pipe 16 and exhaust pipe 17, both connections being in the front of the innermost osition of the piston. In the form here i lustrated the pressure fluid employed is the engine lubricating oil, and the supply pipe accordingly is connected with the oil pump 18 and the exhaust pipe with the crank case 19.

Where it is desired to avoid a quick throw of the piston outwardly, due to the sudden influx of a comparatively large quantity of oil under pressure into the cylinder, a check valve 20 may be inserted in the supply pipe. The check valve should be constructed, however, so that little or no resistance is offered to the return of oil therethrough for purposes later to be explained.

As a comparatively low pressure is all that is required to operate the apparatus here illustrated and as in some types of automobile engines the oil pressure is or becomes at high speeds greatly in excess of this, means may well be provided for keeping the pressure down in the cylinder. I have illustrated for this purpose an adjustable pressure regulating valve 21 which opens a bypass between the cylinder and the exhaust pipe on pressures above the predetermined desired pressure.

Suitable means are provided for closing the exhaust pipe when desired, to develop pressure in said cylinder, such means being illustrated as a valve plug 22 which opens or closes a port 23 in a sleeve 24, said sleeve extending vertically through the cylinder, being in communication with the exhaust pipe and serving as a guide for the stem of the valve. This pressure regulating valve is normally kept open by a compressed spring 25, but is closed in a manner later to be described by means of .a thermostat 26 which is suitably mounted above the valve as by an arm 27. Means of adjusting the distance between the thermostat and the valve and of maintaining the desired adjustment are preferably provided, such for example as a split threaded support 28 which is locked by means of the set screw 29.

In order to provide against the pressure fluid leaking out of the cylinder between the valve stem and the sleeve I have pro- Vided the valve stem with an annular groove 30 from which a channel 31 leads through the valve stem and valve plug so that any fluid which finds its way to the annular groove is discharged through the channel into the exhaust pipe.

Where it is deslred to operate an indicator so that the occupants of the automobile may be advised of the position of the shutters without going to the front of the car to ascertain this, one of the pivotal connections of the shutters may be made rigid with the shutter and extended out past the side of the radiator, such as the pivotal rod 32, and provided with any suitable indicator 33 rigidly attached thereto.

The operation of my invention is as follows:

The normal position of the apparatus is illustrated in Fig. 3 where it is seen that due to the action of the spring 15 the shutters are closed, that the piston is in its innermost position, that the thermostat is not extended and that the valve 22 is open. When the engine starts running and the oil pump is operated oil passes up the pipe 16 into the cylinder, thence through the port 23 and out through the pipe 17 back to the crank case without opening the shutters.

As the temperature of the engine rises, the temperature of the cooling system also rises, as does also the temperature under the engine hood, and the thermostat, re-

sponding to the change in temperature, expands and when the desired temperature is reached, the thermostat, by reason of its prior adjustment, moves the valve plug 22 downward to close the port 23 which prevents the escape of oil therethrough,-thereby constricting or throttling the conduit or passage for the oil constituted by the pipe 16, cylinder 10 and pipe 17 which, with the pump 18 and other associated parts, constitute a circulating system. During the continued running of the engine the cylinder 10 is gradually filled with oil (gradually by reason of the check valve 20) and pressure is exerted on the piston by the oil, forcing the piston down the cylinder and opening the shutters.

Excess pressure in the cylinder is provided against by the pressure regulating valve 21, when employed as above set forth.

When the engine is stopped the pressure of the oil is relieved on the piston. If the temperature inside the hood is above that for which the thermostat has been adjusted, the valve plug 22 continues to close port 23 but the oil in the cylinder runs back through the supply pipe 16 so that the shutters close under-the action of the spring 15. It is to enable an immediate closure of the shutters under these circumstances that the check valve 20 should be so constructed as to be wide open when the oil is flowing downward through the pipe 16. Of course if the temperature is below the desired predetermined temperature, the port 23 will be open and the shutters closed.

During the running of the engine after the shutters have been opened if the temperature of the engine falls below the desired point the thermostat contracts and the valve 22 under spring pressure is opened so that the pressure fluid which is pumped into the cylinder escapes through the port 23 and the exhaust pipe 17 and the shutters close and remain closed until they are opened by reason of the rise in temperature as above set forth.

The operation of the means whereby oil is prevented from escaping through the sleeve 24 of the valve has already been explained.

The operation of the indicator 33 should be apparent for its position is determined by the position of the shutters.

It might be noted that by pivotally mounting the shutters on their center longitudinal line the operation of the device is not interfered with by the pressure of the air against the shutters due to traveling at high speeds.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding and no undue limitation should be deduced therefrom but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in View of the prior art.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a temperature-regulating device for an internal-combustion engine, the combination with the engine of a radiator and a circulating system between the two, a shutter for controlling the flow of air through the radiator, means for closing the shutter, means driven by the power of the engine for opening the shutter, and a thermostatic valve closed on increase of temperature for increasing the efi'ective power of the engine to operate the shutter opening means.

2. In a temperature-regalating device for an internal-combustion engine, the combination with the engine of a radiator, a shutter for controlling the flow of air through the radiator, means tending to close the shutter, fluid-actuated means driven by the motion of the engine continually tending to open the shutter and a theri'nostatic valve closed on increase of temperature for increasing the effective power of the engine to operate the shutter-opening means.

In a radiator-system for internal-combustion engines, a radiator-shutter, means tending to close the shutter, pressure-fluid means tending to open the shutter, a pump driven by the engine and discharging into the shutter-opener, a leak in the pump-discharge controlled by a valve and a thermostat arranged to close the valve When the temperature rises.

a. The combination of an internal combustion engine, a cooling system therefor including a radiator, a fluid pump driven by the engine and having a closed circulating system including a normally opened valve, a thermostatic element controlled by the temperature of the engine and on an increase of temperature thereof tending to close the valve, a fluid pressure motor connected with the circulating system between the valve and the delivery side ofthe pump, and means actuated thereby to control the flow of air through the radiator.

5. In combination with an internal combustion engine and its cooling system, means for governing the cooling effect of said system, a circulating system, and means controlled by the pressure in said circulating system for operating said governing means.

6. In combination with an internal combustion engine and its cooling system, means for governing the cooling eiiect of said systerm, a circulating system, means controlled by the pressure in said circulating system for operating said governing means, and means for regulating the pressure in said circulating system. i

7. in combination with an internal combustion engine and its cooling system, means for governing the cooling effect of said syssaid system, a circulating system, means controlled by the pressure in said circulating system for operating said governing means, and means responsive to changes of temperatureof the engine for regulating the pressure in said circulating system.

9. In combination with an internal combustion engine, movable means for governing the cooling of said engine, a circulating system, means for constricting the passage through said system, and means controlled by the pressure developed by the constriction of said passage for operating said gov ernlng means.

10. In combination with an internal combustion engine, movable means for governing the cooling of said engine, a circulating system, means for constricting the passage through said system, means controlled by the pressure developed by the constriction of said passage for operating said governing means, and thermosensitive means for operating said constricting means.

11. in combination with an internal combustion engine, movable means for governing the cooling of said engine, a circulating system, means for forcing a fluid through said system, a valve for building up pressure in said system, means controlled by the pressure on the high pressure side of said valve for operating said governing means, and means for operating said valve. 12. In combination with an internal combustion engine, movable means for governing the cooling of said engine, a conduit, means for forcing a fluid through said conduit, means for throttling the passage through said conduit, and means actuated by the pressure developed in said conduit when the passage therethrough is throttl -d for operating said movable means.

13. In combination with aninternal combustion engine, movable means for governing the cooling of said engine, a conduit, means for forcing a fluid through said conduit, thermosensitive means for throttling the passage through said conduit,.and means actuated by the pressure developed in said conduit when the passage therethrough is throttled for operating said movable means.

14. in combination with an internal combustion engine. and its cooling system, means governing the cooling effect of said system, a conduit, means for forcing a fluid through said conduit, means for regulating the flow of fluid through said conduit, and means actuated by the pressure developed in said conduit by said last-named means for operating said governing means.

15. In combination with an internal combustion engine and its cooling system, means governing the cooling eflect of said system, a conduit, means for forcing a fluid through said conduit, thermosensitive means for regulating the flow of fluid through said conduit, and means actuated by the pressure developed in said conduit by said last-named means for operating said governing means.

16. In combination with an internal combustion engine and its cooling system, means governing the cooling efli'ect of said system, a conduit, means for forcing a fluid through said conduit, a valve associated with said conduit for regulating the flow of .fluid through said conduit, means responsive to changes of temperature of the engine'for operating said valve, and means actuated bythe pressure developed in said conduit by said valve for operating said governing means.

17. In combination with an internal combustion engine, means for cooling said engine, means for governing the cooling effect of said first-named means, a circulating system, a pressure-motor in said circulating system and operatively connected to said governing means, and means for regulating the pressure in said circulating system.

18. In combination with an internal combustion engine, means for cooling said engine, means for governing the cooling effect of said first-named means, a circulating system, a pressure-motor in said circulating system and operatively connected to said governing means, and thermosensitive means for regulating the pressure in said circulating system.

19. In combination with an internal combustion engine, means for coolin said engine, means for governing the cotfling effect of said first-named means, a circulating system, a pressure-motor in said circulating system and operatively connected to said governing means, and means responsive to changes of temperature of the engine for regulating the pressure in said circulating system.

20. In combination with an internal combustion engine, means for governing the cooling of said engine, a pressure-motor operatively connected to said governing means, a conduit associated with said motor, means for forcing a fluid through said conduit, and a valve in said'conduit for building up a pressure therein to actuate said pressuremotor.

21. In combination with an internal combustion engine, means for governing the cooling of said engine, a pressure-motor operatively connected to said governing means, a conduit associated with said motor, means for forcing a fluid through said conduit, a

bustion engine and its cooling system, means for governing the cooling effect of said system, a pressure-motor operatively connected to said governing means, a conduit associated with said motor, means for forcing afluid through said conduit, a valve in said conduit for constricting the passage therethrough to actuate said pressure-motor, and thermosensitive means for operating said valve.

23. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a conduit, means for forcing a fluid through said conduit, a valve for regulating the flow of fluid through said conduit, and means actuated by the pressure backed up in said conduit by said valve for governing the cooling of said engine.

24. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a conduit, means for forcing a fluid through said conduit, a valve'for regulating the flow of fluid through said conduit, means actuated by the pressure backed up in said conduit by said valve for governing the cooling of said engine, and thermosensitive means for operating said valve.

25. In combination with an internal combustion engine and its system for circulating a cooling medium in heat-interchanging relation therewith, said system including a radiator, means for governing the passage of air through said radiator, a conduit, means for forcing a fluid through said conduit, means for constricting the passage through said conduit, and means actuated by the pressure developed in said conduit by the constriction thereof for operating said governing means.

26. In combination with an internal combustion engine and its system for circulating a cooling medium in heat-interchanging relation therewith, said system including a radiator, means for governing the passage of air through said radiator, a conduit, means for forcing a fluid through said conduit, thermosensitive means for constricting the passage through said conduit, and means actuated by the pressure developed in said conduit by the constriction thereof for operating said governing means.

27. In combination with an internal combustion engine and its cooling system including a radiator, means for governing the passage of air through said radiator, a pressuremotor for operating said governing means, a conduit associated with said pressure-motor, engine driven means for developing pressure in said conduit and pressure-motor, and a valve to regulate the degree of pressure develo ed in said conduit and pressure-motor, sai pressure-motor respending to the pressure on the high-pressure side of said valve.

28. In combination with an internal combustion engine and its cooling system 1ncluding a radiator, means for governing the passage of air through said radiator, a pressure-motor for operating said governing means, a conduit associated wlth said pressure-motor, engine-driven means for developing pressure in said conduit and pressure-motor, a valve to regulate the degree of pressure developed in said conduit and pressure-motor, said pressure-motor respondlng to pressures on the high-pressure side of said valve, and thermosensitive means for operating said valve.

29. In combination with an internal combustion engine and its system for circulating a cooling medium in heat-interchanging relation therewith, means governing the cooling effect of said system, a circulating system, a pressure-motor in said circulating system and operatively related to said governing means, and means regulating the degree of pressure transmitted to said pressuremotor.

30. In combination with an internal combustion engine and its system for circulating a cooling medium in heatinterchang1ng relation therewith, means governing the cooling eflect of said system, a circulat ng system, a pressure-motor in said circulating system and operatively related to said governing means, means regulating the degree of pressure transmitted to said pressuremotor, and thermosensitive means for operating said regulating means.

31. In combination with an internal combustion engine, movable means for governing the cooling of said engine, a circulating system, means for forcing a fluid through said system, a valve for building up pressure in said system, means controlled by the pressure on the high-pressure side of said valve for operating said governing means, and thermosensitive means for operating said valve.

32. In combination with an internal combustion engine, movable means for governing the cooling of said engine, a circulating system, means for forcing a fluid through said system, means for building up pressure in said system, means controlled by the pressure developed in said system for operating said governing means, a by-pass in said system, and a pressure-controlled valve in said by-pass. p

33. In combination with an internal combustion engine, movable means for governing the cooling of said engine, a circulating system, means for forcing a fluid through said system, means forbuilding up pressure in said system, thermosensitive means for controlling said last-named means, means controlled by the pressure developed in said system for operating said governing means,

a by-pass in said system, and a pressure-controlled valve in said by-pass.

34. In combination with an internal combustion engine and its cooling system, means for governing the cooling efl'ect of said system, a pressure-motor operatively connected to said governing means, a conduit associated with said motor, means for forcing a fluid through said conduit, and a valve in said conduit for constricting the passage therethrough to actuate said pressure-motor.

35. In combination with an internal combustion engine, means for governing the cooling of said engine a circulating system including a pressure-motor operatively connected to said governing means, and means for constricting the passage through said circulating system to develop pressure in said pressure-motor.

36. In combination with an internal combustion engine, *means for governing the cooling of said engine, a circulating system including a pressure-motor operatively connected to said governing means, means for constricting the passage through said circulating system 'to develop pressure in said pressure-motor, and thermosensitive means for operating said last-named means.

37. In combination with an internal combustion engine and its cooling system, meansfor governing the cooling eflect of said system, a clrculating system, means for constricting the passage through said circulating system, and means operated by the constriction of said passage for operating said governing means.

38. In combination with an internal combustion engine and its cooling system, means for governing the cooling eflect of said system, a circulating system, thermostaticallyoperated means for constricting the passage through said circulating system, and means operated by the constriction of said passage for operating said governing means.

39. In combination with an internal combustion engine, shutters for controlling the cooling of said engine, a system for circulating a fluid, a valve for throttling the flow of fluid to build up pressure in said system, and a pressure-motor operatively connected to said shutters and operated by the pressure on the high-pressure side of said valve.

40. In combination with an internal combustion engine, shutters for controlling the cooling of said engine, a system for circulating a fluid, a valve for throttling the flow of fluid to build up pressure in said system, a thermostat for operating said valve, and a pressure-motor operatively connected to said shutters and operated by the pressure on the high-pressure side of said valve.

41. In combination with an internal combustion engine, shutters for controlling the cooling of said engine, a circulating system, engine-driven means for forcing a fluid through said system, means for building up pressure in said system, and means actuated by the pressure built up in said system for operating said shutters.

42. In combination with an internal combustion engine, shutters for controlling the cooling of said engine, a circulating system, engine-driven means for forcing a fluid through said system, thermostatically-operated means for building up pressure in said system, and means actuated by the pressure built up in said system for operating said shutters:

43. In combination with an internal combustion engine, shutters for controlling the cooling of said engine, a conduit, enginedriven means for forcing a fluid through said conduit, means for constricting the passage through said conduit to build up pressure therein, means actuated by the pressure developed in said conduit for opening said shutters, and means whereby said shutters are closed when said engine-driven means are stationary or said passage is unconstriated.

44. In combination with an internal combustion engine, shutters for controlling the cooling of said engine, a conduit, enginedriven means for forcing a fluid through said conduit, means for constricting the passage through said conduit to build up pressure therein, a thermostat for operating said means, means actuated by the pressure developed in said conduit for opening said shutters, and means whereby said shutters are closed when said engine-drii 'en means are stationary or said passage is unconstricted.

Signed at New York, N. Y., this 15th day of March, 1917.

LOUIS C. GALLII. 

